Fracture Infections

Although most of the fractures heal without causing any kind of infection, but some fractured bones may get infected whosetreatment and recovery can be prolonged and complicated.

Causes of fracture infection

Infection in fracture may occur due to the following reasons:

Entry of bacteria into the body during the traumatic event especially in the cases of open or compound fracture in which skin is broken and bacteria can easily travel down to the broken bone leading to infection

Entry of bacteria into the body during surgery to set the broken bones. Although the chances of this type of entry are rare but 1% cases may have infection due to this.

Injury near the skin, muscles, arteries, and veins carry higher risk of infection

Chronic diseases like diabetes, HIV, rheumatoid etc. that lower the body immunity may put the patient at greater risk for infection

Poor nutrition

Lack of Vitamin D & Calcium

Poor hygiene

Symptoms of fracture infection

Infection at the site of injury will cause following symptoms:

Warmth

Redness

Increased pain

Swelling and inflammation

Difficulty to move the joint

Formation of pus pocket

If pus bursts, it may drain from the injury and will cause fevers, chills, and night sweats

Treatment of fracture infection

Every fracture can get infectious and its prevention starts as soon as the patient reports injury. The main precautionary as well as therapeutic measures include:

Antibiotics

Debridement and irrigation to cleanse the wound and remove as much contamination as possible